Framing member and panel stop for accommodating panels of various thicknesses



Aug. 8, 1967 D. c. MUESSEL 3,334,463

FRAMING MEMBER AND PANEL STOP FOR ACCOMMODATING PANELS OF VARIOUSTHICKNESSES v Filed Jan. 6, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 06m 6 Aug.8, 1967 D. c. MUESSEL. 3,334,463

FRAMING MEMBER AND PANEL STOP FOR ACCOMMODATING PANELS OF VARIOUSTHICKNESSES Filed Jan. 6, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet a 46a 3a 25a ZJ411 57a 15a14a 35 10a a y 77 52a {6 INVENTOR 05m C. BY

WMm,/%%m1hzm,

& V6444 United States Patent 3,334,463 FRAMING MEMBER AND PANEL STOP FORACCOMMODATING PANELS OF VARIOUS THICKNESSES Dan C. Muessel, Niles,Mich., assignor to American Metal sC(limax, Inc., New York, N.Y., acorporation of New ork Filed Jan. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 335,936 3 Claims.(Cl. 52--501) The present invention relates to a building Wallconstruction, and, more particularly, to a novel frame and panelconstruction and to a new and improved framing member provided withimproved panel stop means The framing member according to the presentinvention is particularly useful in fabricating building walls and wallframes, and in securing panel members in the frames.

Because of its many advantages over other types of buildingconstruction, the curtain wall type of building construction has beenwidely used in recent years. Metallic members of the curtain wall formframes which retain panels such as glass glazing and the like. Forvarious reasons it is frequently necessary to use panels of differentthicknesses. Frequently, it has been necessary to provide a large numberof differently shaped and dimensioned members which are ordinarily usedin the fabrication of one building in order to provide for theaccommodation of panels of various thicknesses. In order to reduce thenumber of difierent types of parts which must be provided, it would bedesirable to minimize the number of differently shaped structuralmembers which are needed, while at the same time providing for theaccommodation of various size panel thicknesses.

Additionally, in many of the prior known panel glazing systems,diificulty has been experienced in the use of panel or glass stops insecuring or interlocking the stop with the frame member. Consequently,it would be desirable to provide a panel or glass stop which can readilybe interfitted with a framing member without the exposure of screws orother fastening devices.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedbuilding wall construction having the abovementioned advantages.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved metal frame structure.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved metal frame structure which is readily adaptable to receive aplurality of various size panel thicknesses.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of ametal frame structure of the type employing a frame member and a panelstop and which provides more readily for the interlocking of the panelstop with the frame member.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the following description proseeds and the features ofnovelty which characterize the invention wi). be pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisspecification.

In accordance with these and many other objects of the presentinvention, there is provided a new and improved building wallconstruction utilizing a novel framing member and a novel panel stop.More specifically, the framing member, according to the presentinvention, is a unitary element comprising in cross section a jambsurface with a depression defined therein. The depression in the jambsurface includes a pair of end leg portions and. a bottom portion.Moreover, a plurality of intermediate leg portions are provided in thedepression. One of the end leg portions and the intermediate legportions are provided with toe portions coplanar with the jamb sur-3,334,463 Patented Aug. 8, 1967 face which form lips extending towardthe other end leg portion and the toe portions define a camming surfaceon their inner surface which faces the second end leg portion and whichis inclined downwardly toward the second end leg portion.

Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, a novel panel orglass stop member is provided for interlocking engagement with theframing member. More specifically, the panel stop member is of openinverted cross section having first and second legs. In one embodiment,the panel stop member is of generally inverted U-shape. In anotherembodiment, the panel stop member is illustrated as being of somewhatV-shaped inverted cross section. One of the legs is provided with a toeportion forming a lip extending toward the other leg, and the surface ofthe toe portion which faces the other leg defines a camming surfaceinclined upwardly toward the second leg and adapted to cam over thecamming surface of the leg portions of the framing member and to snapover the toe portions of the framing member. The toe portion of theglass stop in this manner will extend. into the depression of theframing member and interlockingly engage with a selected one of the legportions: of the framing member. The second leg of the glass stop has anend, spaced apart from the first end of the first leg, and seated on thejamb surface of the framing member.

It will be appreciated that by proper dimensioning of the width of thejamb surface, and the spacing of the first and intermediate legportions, and by dimensioning of the spacing of the ends of the legs onthe glass stop, that the glass stop may selectively be used with anumber of different ones of the leg portions on the framing member toprovide for various thicknesses of panel elements. Additionally, variousglass stops may be provided wherein the leg ends have various spacingsto adapt the glass stops for use with various ones of the leg portionsof the framing member.

It will further be appreciated that advantageously the above-describedstructure provides for the easy and ready snapping of the glass stop byfirst placing one leg of the glass stop on the jamb surface, and thenforcing the other leg of the glass stop, which is the leg provided withthe toe portion, over the camming surfaces of the respective toeportions to interlock the glass stop with a selected one of the legportions of the framing member. By the pivotal rotation of the glassstop about its line of engagement with the jamb surface, over-centertravel of the glass stop toward the panel element is minimized providingfor quick and easy assembly and retention of a panel in the framestructure.

According to yet another feature of the present invention, the framingmember is provided with means along its longitudinal edges forinterfitting with a complementary framing member of similarconfiguration. In this manner there is provided a split frame structure,or mullion, so that if desired panels of the building wall constructionmay be prefabricated prior to their erection into place, andadditionally to make some provision for the expansion of the metallicelements.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may behad to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of a building wall constructionaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of one of the frame structures illustrated in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of another of the frame struc tures illustrated inFIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded, fragmentary view of the frame structure of FIG.3, illustrating the depression in the frame member and the glass stop.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a buildingwall structure, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and including a split mullionor frame member supporting on one side a thin panel 11, here shown ofglass, and supporting a thicker panel 12 on the other side.

The split mullion 10, according to the present invention, is formed of apair of interfitted extruded unitary metal framing members 10a and 10b,which contain complementary means along their longitudinal edges forinterfitting the framing members together to provide the split mullion10. More specifically, the framing members 10a and 10b are provided withrespective jamb surfaces 13a, 13b and 14a, 14b. The jamb surfaces 13a,13b and 14a, 14b are separated by respective shallow channel-shapeddepressions 15a, 15b intermediate the transverse ends of the framingmembers 10a and 10b. Additionally, the framing member 10a is providedadjacent its longitudinal edges with a pair of offset tongues 16 and 17and the framing member 10b is provided with parts along its longitudinaledges forming complementary grooves 20 and 21 to receive the tongues 16and 17. Sealing gaskets 22 are provided on the tongues 16 and 17 toprovide for weatherproofing the tongue-and-groove connection between theframing members 10a and 10b, and to allow for limited transversemovement of the framing members toward and away from each other toaccommodate expansion and contraction of the wall structure. The gaskets22 may be of the type described and claimed in the copending applicationSer. No. 142,242, filed Oct. 2, 1961, now abandoned, a division of U8.Patent No. 3,037,591, granted June 5, 1962.

To provide a first stop for the panels 11 or 12, the depressions 15a and15b of the respective framing members 10a and 10b are defined by a firstend leg 24a, 24b and a second end leg 25a, 25b, respectively. The secondend leg extends upwardly from the depression above the jamb surfaces14a, 14b and is provided with a suitable sealing groove 26a, 26badjacent its outer end Which retains a respective sealing gasket 27. Thedepressions 15a, 15b are additionally defined by a bottom wall or bightportion 30a, 30b.

In order to provide for means selectively to accommodate variousthicknesses of panel members, a plurality of intermediate legs 31a, 31band 32a, 32b are provided in the depression 15a, 15b, extending upwardlyfrom the bight portion 30a, 30b. The first end legs 24a, 24b and theintermediate legs 31a, 31b and 32a, 32b are provided with toe portions35a, 35b; 36a, 36b; and 37a, 37b, which, as best illustrated in FIG. 4,define camming surfaces 38 on the inner faces confronting the second endlegs 25a, 25b, and which camming surfaces are inclined inwardly anddownwardly toward the second end leg.

To retain the panels 11, 12 Within their respective depression 15a, 15b,there are provided suitable panel or glass stops 40, 41. The glass stops40, 41 are formed of extruded somewhat resilient metal of open invertedcross section and, as illustrated, the glass stop 40 is of somewhatinverted U-shape while the glass stop 41 is of generally V-shape incross section. Each of the glass stops 40 and 41, as best illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 4, are provided with a pair of legs 42a, 42b and 43a, 43b.The first leg is provided at its free end with a toe portion 44, FIG. 4,defining a lip extending toward the other leg 43a, 43b. The face of thetoe portion 44 confronting the other leg defines a camming surface 45inclined upwardly in the open section toward the other leg and adaptedto snap over one of the camming surfaces 38 in one of the framingmembers 10a, 10b. The first leg 42a, 42b is further provided at itsother end with a sealing channel 46a, 46b adapted to retain a sealinggasket 47. The other leg 43a, 43b is provided with a first end adaptedto seat on the respective jamb surface 13a and 13b and is operativelyconnected at its other end to the first leg 42a, 42b. In the embodimentof the glass stop, illustrated in FIG. 2, the legs 43a and 42a areinterconnected by a transverse leg or bight portion 49, while in theembodiment of glass stop, illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ends of thelegs 43b and 42a are directly connected together.

It will be appreciated that each of the glass stops 40 and 41 aredimensioned so that the spacing between the ends of the open legs issuch that the glass stop may be used in a plurality of selectivepositions to engage one of the intermediatee legs 31a, 31b; 32a, 32b orthe first end leg 24a, 24b. More specifically, the glass stop 40,illustrated in FIG. 2, can be used with either of the intermediate legs31a, 32a; while the glass stop 41, illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, isdimensioned for use with either the first end leg 24b or theintermediate leg 31b. It will be understood, of course, by enlarging thejamb surface 13a, that a single glass stop could be utilized with any orall of the intermediate legs and the first end legs. Additionally, itwill be seen that the vertical or projected length of the first legs42a, 42b of the glass stops 40 and 41 are slightly longer than thevertical length or vertical projec tion of the second legs 43a, 43b ofthe glass stops 4t) and 41 so that with the free end of the second legs43a, 43b resting on the jamb surfaces 13a, 13b, the toe portions 44 ofthe respective glass stops extend within the associated depressions 15a,15b of the framing members 10a and 10b; and the toe portions 44 of theglass stops will interlock with the selected toe portions 35a, 35b; 36a,36b; or 37a, 37b.

Advantageously, the present framing member structure according to thepresent invention permits a single framing member 10a, 10b toaccommodate various thicknesses of panel elements 11, 12. This may beaccomplished either by the use of a single glass stop or by theprovision of various size glass stops. In other words, the glass stop 40is selectively positionable with either of the intermediate legs, andthe glass stop 41 is positionable with the intermediate leg 31a, 31b orthe first end leg 24a, 24b. Additionally, various thicknesses of sealinggaskets 27 and 47 may be associated with the framing members 10a, 10band with the glass stops 40 and 41 to provide for small variations inthe thicknesses of the panel members.

Advantageously, the glass stops 40' and 41 may be readily assembled witha framing member 10a, 10b without the use of exposed screws or fasteningdevices. Specifically, the selected glass stop 41) or 41 is placed withthe end of the second leg 43a, 43b on the respective jamb surface 13a or13b, and the camming surface 45 of the glass stop is snapped over theselected camming surface 38 of a framing member to interlock the toeportion 44 of the glass stop 40 or 41 with a respective toe portion 35a,35b; 36a, 36b; 37a, 37b of a frame member. It will be observed that theover-center travel of the gasket 47 toward a respective panel 11, 12during assembly of the glass stop 40 or 41 with a respective framingmember is minimized so that the glass stop is readily assembled with aminimum of effort.

Although the present invention has been described by reference tovarious embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that numerous othermodifications and embodiments will be devised by those skilled in theart which will fall within the true spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. A frame structure comprising, in combination, a framing membercomprising in cross section a shallow channel shaped depressionintermediate its ends defined by first and second end leg portions and abottom portion, a jamb surface extending from the top of said first legportion outwardly away from said depression, said second leg portionextending upwardly from said depression above said jamb surface, and atleast one intermediate leg portion extending upwardly from said bottomportion intermediate said end leg portions, said first end leg portionand said intermediate leg portion having toe portions coplanar with thejamb surface forming lips extending toward said second leg portion, saidtoe portions defining a caniming surface on their inner surfaces whichface said second end leg portion inclined downwardly toward said secondend leg portion and inwardly toward said bottom portion and sealingportions adjacent the end of said second leg portion for retainingsealing gasket means; and additionally including a panel stop memberformed of extruded, somewhat resilient, metal of open inverted crosssection having a first end leg and a second leg, said first leg beingprovided with a toe portion at a first end forming a lip extendingtoward said second leg, the surface of the last-mentioned toe portionwhich faces said second leg defining a camming surface inclined upwardlytoward said second leg and adapted to snap over the camming surface ofsaid leg portions, said first leg being provided adjacent its other endwith sealing portions adapted to retain sealing gasket means, saidlast-mentioned toe portion extending into said depression andinterlockingly engaging the toe portion of a selective one of said legportions; said second leg having a first end spaced apart from saidfirst end of s-aid first leg and seated on said jamb surface, and havingits second end operatively connected to the second end of said firstleg.

2. A frame structure comp-rising, in combination, a framing membercomprising in cross section a jamb surface, a depression defined in saidjamb surface by first and second end leg portions and a bottom portion,said second leg portion extending upwardly from said jamb surface, andat least one intermediate leg portion extending upwardly from saidbottom portion intermediate said end leg portions, said first end legportion and said intermediate leg portion having toe portions coplanarwith the jamb surface forming lips extending toward said second end legportion, said toe portions defining a camming surface on their innersurfaces which face said second end leg portion inclined downwardlytoward said second leg portion; and additionally including a metal panelstop member of open inverted cross section having a first end leg and asecond leg, said first leg being provided at a first end with a toeportion forming a lip extending toward said second leg, the surface ofthe last-mentioned toe portion which faces said second leg defining acamming surface inclined upwardly toward said second leg and adapted tocammingly snap over the camming surface of said leg portions, saidlast-mentioned toe portion extending into said depression andinterlockingly engaging the toe portion of a selective one of said legportions; said second leg having a first end spaced apart from saidfirst end of said first leg and seated on said jamb surface, and havingits second end operatively connected to the second end of said firstleg.

3. A building construction comprising an extruded metal framing memberdefined in cross section by a shallow channel shaped depressionintermediate its ends defined by first and second end leg portions and abotto-m porti-on, a jamb surface extending from the top of said firstleg portion outwardly away from said depression, said second end legportion extending upwardly from said depression above said jamb surface,and at least two intermediate leg portions extending upwardly from saidbottom portion intermediate said end leg portions, said first end legportion and said intermediate leg portions having toe portions coplanarwith the jamb surface, forming lips extending toward said second end legportion, said toe portions defining a camming surface on their innersurfaces which face said second end leg portion inclined downwardlytoward said second end leg portion and inwardly toward said bottomportion, and sealing portions adjacent the ends of said second legportion; a panel stop member formed of extruded, somewhat resilient,metal of open inverted cross section having a first end leg and. asecond end leg, said first end leg being provided with a toe portion ata first end forming a lip extending toward said second leg,

the surface of the last-mentioned toe portion which faces said secondleg defining a camming surface inclined upwardly toward said second legportion, said first leg being provided adjacent its other end withsealing portions adapted to retain sealing gasket means, saidlast-mentioned toe portion extending into said depression andinterlockingly engaging the toe portion of a selective one of said legportions, said second leg having a first end spaced apart from saidfirst end of said first leg and seated on said jamb surface, and havingits second end operatively connected to the second end of said firstleg; said second leg of said extruded metal framing member and saidfirst leg of said panel stop member being spaced apart to define a panelreceiving groove; a panel member having an edge received within saidgroove; and sealing gasket means carried in confronting relationship bysaid sealing portions resiliently engaging respective sides of saidpanel means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,873,350 8/1932 Smith 52-5022,765,057 10/1956 Stiefvater 52-498 2,970,397 2/ 1961 Roseman 49-505 X3,037,591 6/1962. Pulling et a1. 52-498 X 3,038,568 6/1962 Morgan 52-495X 3,081,849 3/1963 Hubbard 52-498 X 3,090,085 5/1966 Brown 52-3973,093,217 6/1963 Doede 52-498 X 3,147,518 9/1964 Horgan r 524763,196,998 7/1965 Owen 52-293 X FOREIGN PATENTS 564,762 2/ 1958 Belgium.

643,541 6/ 1962 Canada. 1,137,170 1/1957 France.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner. RICHARD W. COOKE, JR., Examiner. M.O. WARNECKE, Assistant Examiner.

3. A BUILIDING CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING AN EXTRUDED METAL FRAMING MEMBERDEFINED IN CROSS SECTION BY A SHALLOW CHANNEL SHAPED DEPRESSIONINTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS DEFINED BY FIRST AND SECOND END LEG PORTIONS AND ABOTTOM PORTION, A JAMB SURFACE EXTENDING FROM THE TOP OF SAID FIRST LEGPORTION OUTWARDLY AWAY FROM SAID DEPRESSION, SAID SECOND END LEG PORTIONEXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID DEPRESSION ABOVE SAID JAMB SURFACE, AND ATLEAST TWO INTERMEDIATE LEG PORTIONS EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BOTTOMPORTION INTERMEDIATE SAID END LEG PORTIONS, SAID FIRST END LEG PORTIONAND SAID INTERMEDIATE LEG PORTIONS HAVING TOE PORTIONS COPLANAR WITH THEJAMB SURFACE, FORMING LIPS EXTENDING TOWARD SAID SECOND END LEG PORTION,SAID TOE PORTIONS DEFINING A CAMMING SURFACE ON THEIR INNER SURFACESWHICH FACE SAID SECOND END LEG PORTION INCLINED DOWNWARDLY TOWARD SAIDSECOND END LEG PORTION AND INWARDLY TOWARD SAID BOTTOM PORTION, ANDSEALING PORTIONS ADJACENT THE ENDS OF SAID SECOND LEG PORTION; A PANELSTOP MEMBER FORMED OF EXTRUDED, SOMEWHAT RESILIENT, METAL OF OPENINVERTED CROSS SECTION HAVING A FIRST END LEG AND A SECOND END LEG, SAIDFIRST END LEG BEING PROVIDED WITH A TOE PORTION AT A FIRST END FORMING ALIP EXTENDING TOWARD SAID SECOND LEG, THE SURFACE OF THE LAST-MENTIONEDTOE PORTION WHICH FACES